BUNCRANA MOTHER SAYS SHE MIGHT FORGIVE THE BOMBERS IF THEY APOLOGISED TO HER
Buncrana mother says she might forgive the bombers if they apologised to her
BY KATE HEANEY
As local people prepare for the tenth anniversary Mass in Buncrana tomorrow night (Friday) of the town's victims of the Omagh bombing, one mother speaks of her anguish ten years on.
Bernie Doherty, mother of Oran Doherty, 8, wants to tell her story so that people will remember what was done to her son. Oran died with neighbour Sean McLaughlin, 12, James Barker, 12, Rocio Abad Ramos, 23, and Fernando Blasco Baselga, 12. They were among the 29 people and unborn twins killed in the worst bombing atrocity in the history of the Northern Ireland troubles.
The Buncrana families will travel to Omagh in the afternoon before returning to Knockalla Drive where Fr Eddie McGuinness will celebrate the outdoor anniversary Mass at 8.30pm. On Sunday they will return to Omagh for a service organised by the local support group.
Speaking this week, Mrs Doherty admits she doesn't know if she can forgive those who killed her son. She, like many of the families want to see the perpetrators brought to justice.
Bernie insists that it is important that a sense of anger is retained over what happened that terrible day.
Oran and neighbour Sean McLaughlin, together with James Barker went on the day trip organised for the Spanish students staying in Buncrana.
When news of the bombing first reached Buncrana on that Saturday afternoon, no one, in the seaside town imagined the devastating impact the atrocity would visit on them.
"I think it is important for people to remember how they felt at that time of Omagh. I don't mind telling my story because I want people to remember what was done to Oran.
"People haven't seen some of the photos of bodies we have seen. I do feel angry at times, like when Oran would have turned 18, or when he should have been getting his Leaving Certificate results last summer. You would feel angry surely," Bernie said.
She doesn't care why the Real IRA bombers did what they did that day, but she cannot understand how they could have found it in their hearts to carry out the attack.
"I still couldn't say I'll forgive Oran's killers. Maybe I could someday if those people came and told me they were really sorry for what they'd done - not just because they have given up whatever cause they believe in, but because they were truly sorry - then maybe I could forgive.
"I think people should be brought to justice for the attack, but I know the authorities say they don't have the evidence so I don't really see it happening and that does make me sad.
"Some people say what would it do if they were brought to justice, what would it change? It wouldn't bring Oran back. But it's because of them that Oran's not coming back. If anyone does anything to your child, you want them to pay," Bernie added.
Oran would have turned 18 on May 2 this year and the ninth anniversary of his death was the day he should have been collecting his Leaving Certificate results.
Bernie and Mickey's youngest son Cillian is now aged eight, the same age Oran was when he was killed. Because of what happened to Oran, Bernie admits it's hard for them to let Cillian go on school trips and other excursions.
"Now when any of my kids go anywhere, I think what if they never come back? It's a horrible feeling, but I do let them go if they really want to."
Bernie still has the jar of brandy balls and two pieces of honeycomb that Oran bought at the Omagh Folk Park that day and these items are very precious to her.
"Maybe he bought them for one of us," she said.
Bernie said it would be good to meet people again that had lost someone on that day although it will not make a difference as to how they grieve their son.
"When all this attention dies down and I have time to sit down and think, that's when the longing to have Oran back hits, to see him and hear his voice," she added.
BY KATE HEANEY
As local people prepare for the tenth anniversary Mass in Buncrana tomorrow night (Friday) of the town's victims of the Omagh bombing, one mother speaks of her anguish ten years on.
Bernie Doherty, mother of Oran Doherty, 8, wants to tell her story so that people will remember what was done to her son. Oran died with neighbour Sean McLaughlin, 12, James Barker, 12, Rocio Abad Ramos, 23, and Fernando Blasco Baselga, 12. They were among the 29 people and unborn twins killed in the worst bombing atrocity in the history of the Northern Ireland troubles.
The Buncrana families will travel to Omagh in the afternoon before returning to Knockalla Drive where Fr Eddie McGuinness will celebrate the outdoor anniversary Mass at 8.30pm. On Sunday they will return to Omagh for a service organised by the local support group.
Speaking this week, Mrs Doherty admits she doesn't know if she can forgive those who killed her son. She, like many of the families want to see the perpetrators brought to justice.
Bernie insists that it is important that a sense of anger is retained over what happened that terrible day.
Oran and neighbour Sean McLaughlin, together with James Barker went on the day trip organised for the Spanish students staying in Buncrana.
When news of the bombing first reached Buncrana on that Saturday afternoon, no one, in the seaside town imagined the devastating impact the atrocity would visit on them.
"I think it is important for people to remember how they felt at that time of Omagh. I don't mind telling my story because I want people to remember what was done to Oran.
"People haven't seen some of the photos of bodies we have seen. I do feel angry at times, like when Oran would have turned 18, or when he should have been getting his Leaving Certificate results last summer. You would feel angry surely," Bernie said.
She doesn't care why the Real IRA bombers did what they did that day, but she cannot understand how they could have found it in their hearts to carry out the attack.
"I still couldn't say I'll forgive Oran's killers. Maybe I could someday if those people came and told me they were really sorry for what they'd done - not just because they have given up whatever cause they believe in, but because they were truly sorry - then maybe I could forgive.
"I think people should be brought to justice for the attack, but I know the authorities say they don't have the evidence so I don't really see it happening and that does make me sad.
"Some people say what would it do if they were brought to justice, what would it change? It wouldn't bring Oran back. But it's because of them that Oran's not coming back. If anyone does anything to your child, you want them to pay," Bernie added.
Oran would have turned 18 on May 2 this year and the ninth anniversary of his death was the day he should have been collecting his Leaving Certificate results.
Bernie and Mickey's youngest son Cillian is now aged eight, the same age Oran was when he was killed. Because of what happened to Oran, Bernie admits it's hard for them to let Cillian go on school trips and other excursions.
"Now when any of my kids go anywhere, I think what if they never come back? It's a horrible feeling, but I do let them go if they really want to."
Bernie still has the jar of brandy balls and two pieces of honeycomb that Oran bought at the Omagh Folk Park that day and these items are very precious to her.
"Maybe he bought them for one of us," she said.
Bernie said it would be good to meet people again that had lost someone on that day although it will not make a difference as to how they grieve their son.
"When all this attention dies down and I have time to sit down and think, that's when the longing to have Oran back hits, to see him and hear his voice," she added.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH10An/49
Published Date: 14-Aug-08
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